Major Tungsten System Discovered Alongside Gold Resource
Rumble Resources (ASX: RTR) has announced significant high-grade tungsten assays from its Western Queen Project, revealing an extensive tungsten system that complements its recently upgraded gold resource. The company has identified tungsten mineralisation across a 1,500-meter strike length between the Western Queen South and Central Open Pits, with the system remaining open along strike and at depth.
The historical diamond core sampling has returned multiple high-grade tungsten intersections, including:
- 3.45m @ 0.66% WO₃ from 299m (including 1.5m @ 0.96% WO₃)
- 0.57m @ 1.6% WO₃ & 17.3g/t Au from 371.86m
- 4m @ 0.75% WO₃ & 0.71g/t Au from 220m (including 1m @ 2.24% WO₃)
- 5.2m @ 0.61% WO₃ & 2.41g/t Au from 155m
The company is now in the final stages of completing a maiden tungsten Mineral Resource Estimate with eighteen separate tungsten lodes already interpreted at the project.
"Having just reported a significant gold resource upgrade to 370,000 ounces at 3.1 grams per tonne, it's very exciting to also be on the verge of reporting the maiden tungsten resource at Western Queen. Especially given the strong interest in tungsten projects given the metal's strategic importance." – Peter Harold, Managing Director and CEO
Tungsten Mineralisation Potential Expanding
The company's geological interpretation has identified multiple additional priority target areas highly prospective for tungsten skarn type mineralisation across the broader Western Queen Project. A reconnaissance field program is currently underway to assess these targets.
Importantly, the tungsten mineralisation discovered to date has been identified through previous exploration drilling that was primarily targeting gold. No dedicated drilling has yet been undertaken specifically targeting tungsten at Western Queen.
Geological investigations and petrographic studies have confirmed that tungsten at Western Queen represents an early prograde endoskarn mineralisation event that predates the orogenic gold mineralisation. The tungsten skarn lodes are spatially adjacent and sub-parallel to the gold lodes that comprise the recently updated gold Mineral Resource Estimate.
Understanding Tungsten: A Critical Strategic Metal
Tungsten has emerged as one of the most critical industrial metals on global supply watch lists. Its unique properties—including the highest melting point of any metal (3,422°C), exceptional hardness, and high density—make it indispensable for applications ranging from aerospace components to military equipment and cutting tools.
Currently, China dominates global tungsten production, accounting for over 80% of the world's supply. This concentration presents significant supply risks, particularly as global tungsten production has faltered recently, with total output reaching approximately 98,000 tonnes in 2024 according to USGS data.
The tungsten market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 7% per annum, with the market forecast to increase by US$2.61 billion between 2024 and 2029. This growth is being driven by:
- Increased use in battery technology (tungsten oxide for cathodes and anodes)
- Semiconductor manufacturing applications
- Military and defense sector requirements
- Emerging renewable energy applications
The price of ammonium paratungstate (APT), a benchmark tungsten product, is currently trading at US$445 per tonne unit or US$44,500 per tonne—a 43% increase since 2023.
What Makes Tungsten So Valuable?
Tungsten (chemical symbol W) possesses unique physical properties that make it irreplaceable in many industrial applications:
- Extreme Temperature Resistance: With the highest melting point of all metals (3,422°C), tungsten remains stable in high-temperature environments where other metals would fail.
- Exceptional Hardness: In its carbide form, tungsten is among the hardest materials known, second only to diamond and some specialized ceramics.
- High Density: Tungsten's density (19.3 g/cm³) is comparable to gold and nearly twice that of lead, making it valuable for applications requiring high mass in limited space.
- Excellent Conductivity: The metal exhibits good electrical and thermal conductivity properties.
These characteristics make tungsten essential for various critical applications including:
- Cutting tools and drilling components in mining and manufacturing
- Filaments in high-temperature environments
- Military applications including armor-piercing ammunition
- Electronics industry components
- Advanced battery technology
Initial Metallurgical Results Promising
Preliminary metallurgical testwork has indicated that a meaningful revenue stream could be generated from the tungsten-bearing material at Western Queen. The company is preparing a bulk sample of the tungsten-bearing (scheelite) material for further metallurgical testing by Mineral Technologies, which specializes in mineral separation solutions.
The aim of this program is to develop a grade versus recovery curve for the scheelite material to determine the potential revenue stream from tungsten production alongside gold.
Future Plans and Exploration Upside
Rumble Resources has identified multiple high-priority targets that extend over a 5km × 2.5km area at the Western Queen Project prospective for tungsten skarn type mineralisation. These targets are defined by tungsten and coincident pathfinder (Ba and Sn) anomalism in geochemical and rockchip sampling completed by the company in 2024.
The field program currently underway will assess the potential of each of these targets, with results informing future exploration activities specifically targeting tungsten at Western Queen.
Why Investors Should Take Note
Rumble Resources tungsten discovery presents a compelling investment case with several key factors working in its favor:
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Dual-commodity exposure: With both gold and tungsten resources at Western Queen, the company offers diversified commodity exposure at a single project.
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Strategic metal focus: Tungsten's classification as a critical mineral with supply concerns increases the strategic value of new discoveries outside China.
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Resource growth potential: The tungsten system remains open along strike and at depth, with multiple additional target areas identified for further exploration.
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Near-term catalysts: The maiden tungsten resource estimate expected in August 2025 represents a significant upcoming milestone for the company.
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Market timing: With tungsten prices up 43% since 2023 and supply constraints worsening, new sources of tungsten outside China are likely to command premium valuations.
The combination of an already substantial gold resource (370,000 ounces at 3.1g/t) with an emerging high-grade tungsten system positions Rumble Resources to potentially benefit from strong pricing in both commodities while offering investors exposure to the strategic metals sector.
Want to Invest in a Strategic Tungsten-Gold Opportunity?
Discover Rumble Resources' exceptional dual-commodity project with significant upside potential. With high-grade tungsten findings complementing their recently upgraded 370,000-ounce gold resource at Western Queen, Rumble is positioned at the intersection of precious metals and critical minerals. As tungsten prices surge 43% since 2023 and global supply concerns intensify, now is the time to learn more about this compelling investment opportunity. Visit Rumble Resources' website for complete investor information and to stay updated on the forthcoming maiden tungsten resource estimate.
